Ateneo clouters open defense vs AdU

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo opens its drive for a third consecutive crown as it takes on Adamson at the start of the UAAP Season 77 baseball tournament tomorrow at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Originally set last Jan. 11, the opening was postponed to give way to the recent papal visit.

The softball competitions, meanwhile, blast off today, also at the Rizal Memorial field with Adamson University gunning for a rare five-peat.          ?       

The Lady Falcons have lost five key players due to graduation but remain upbeat of their chances although the NU Lady Bulldogs, runners-up the last two years, loom as the team to beat with a solid line-up.

Gone from Ana Santiago’s rotation are Cindy Banay, Rizza Bernardino, former MVPs Luzviminda Embudo and Elvie Entrina, and ace pitcher Julie Marie Muyco.

In baseball, Ateneo remained intact despite the graduation of Kevin Ramos but the Blue Eagles are in for a tough outing as the National University Bulldogs and last season’s losing finalist the La Salle Archers are raring to foil the Loyola-based squad’s three-peat bid.

Ateneo and Adamson clash at 7 a.m. followed by the University of the Philippines-De La Salle and NU-University of Santo Tomas contests.

The Blue Eagles will have to wait until the end of the first round on Feb. 8 before facing arch rivals Green Archers.

The Lady Falcons, meanwhile, drew an opening day bye and will see action against the UST Tigresses on Wednesday.

Today’s matches pit the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Eagles at 9 a.m. while the Lady Archers and the Tigresses tangle at 11 a.m. The Lady Maroons and the Lady Warriors square off at 1 p.m.

Adamson’s first meeting with NU in a rematch of last year’s title showdown will be on Feb. 7 with the San Marcelino-based lady batters hard-pressed to duplicate their 14-game sweep last year.